Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Today it was once again time to put the summer wheels on my 9000 and change the oil; I decided it was time to visit my local dealer. This visit was long overdue– I had not seen the guys for at least a week, maybe even two.
I usually try to catch a few words with one of their veteran sales persons there. Anders has held the fort since the mid-90s. He was head hunted by the local Opel dealer as they managed to snap up the Saab franchise following GM’s take-over of Saab. They needed someone on their team with proper Saab knowledge and roots. Who better than a born and raised second generation Saab salesman?
Anders has sold six new 9-5s in our borough. Two linears, two vectors and two aeros– one of these to me. Today he was putting together an offer for a 9-5 SportCombi. The customer in question wants the works: 2.8T, navigation, metallic, etc. “Adaptive cruise control?” I asked.
“Yes, of course” Anders replied. I was impressed. A week ago I was completely unaware that adaptive cruise control would finally feature on the 2012 9-5s, and now someone was already requesting it.
A year ago, in June, Anders and I picked features for for my fjord blue 9-5. Things were very different back then. Saab’s website was incomplete and one of the snags that caught me was the auto-tiltdown action on the side mirrors. You need memory seats for that to work, and I don’t think they corrected their website to reflect that until December. I’m still extremely pleased with the result, and it’s an incredible car and one of the first BioPower versions of the MY11 9-5.
Speaking of the works, recently a reader in Radu, Romania e-mailed the SU team. Last week he took delivery of a fully loaded 9-5 2.8T. He wanted to know if he had made a mistake, trusting Saab. I answered “No.” Actually, what I really answered was:
I think the answer to your question depends on yourself. How long do you plan on keeping this car? As someone who grew up with Saabs, of course I am worried about their future. Fear, uncertainty and doubt is at full play. But Saabs have saved both myself and members of my family several times. We would probably be resting underneath the soil had we chosen any different brand. I am willing to take a potential monetary loss on my new 9-5 — it is the least I could do in return!
Money, although an important factor in many of our lives, isn’t everything. You can’t take it with you to the grave. What you can do is pass your spoils on to the next generation. What better treasure, 20 years from now, than a very rare Saab 9-5? (assuming in the unlikliest case that the worst happens) Remember: all art is cheap and uninteresting until the artist buys the farm. And the 9-5 is one heckuva piece of fine art!
With this idea fresh in mind, I asked Anders what to expect from a worst-case scenario. “Why are you worried? You bought your car from us,” he told me. “It is this dealership’s problem to cover your warranty claims regardless of Saab’s fate.” Good to know. It is safe to buy a Saab in Sweden at least, and given the guarantees in the US Saab customers should feel just as comfortable plunking down the cash for a new one.
The hardest question I have ever faced surfaced back in December 2009 as I felt the last opportunity to order a new Saab was quickly deteriorating in front of my eyes. I put everything on blind faith and decided to wait. That new 9-5 was just too delicious to pass up, even if it meant possibly missing out on one of the last 9-3s to be made. In light of that, Radu’s question found me somewhat unprepared. In case Saab disappears tomorrow, make sure you have at least one new Saab in your garage. This is my advice to all of you.
@ Bravada +1
Even the Saab 9000 had autotiltdown of the right hand mirror, when you put the gearlever into reverse. 😉
The editor of the largest danish motoring magazine, was asked if he believes in Saabs survival. He gives Saab less than 50% chance. I surely hope that he’s proven wrong. He was then asked if he would still buy a Saab. The answer was clear: “Yes, without a doubt!”.
Cheers!
hey ? what happens here ?
I feel a wind of pessimism. Why ?
We’ve got someone just here ready to invest 50 M€ and then 300 M€ for the 9-2, and repay the EIB loan !
Only missing the ok from swedish gvt so that the NDO is ok , so that VA enters
Is there any responsible people in those organisations ?
I’m sur there is!
Waiting for the good news!
SAAB UP !!!!!!!
Holland’s financial journal FD has quoted Dagens Nyheter, stating that all running costs to operate the Trollhättan site, estimate up to 1 billion dollars per month.
http://www.fd.nl/artikel/21880268/maandelijkse-kosten-saab-bedragen-1-mrd
Suppose these figures were right, break even costs would be $200k per production unit. But it can’t be.
My guess is that -if these are the right figures- mr. Antonov’s U$D 50 mio won’t do the trick.
This is rather b/s, Saab never had that kind of money in the first place, they wouldn’t have even started if it cost a billion to run the site for a month. I guess they might mean a billion Swedish kronor…
I have more than one Saab. But only old ones 🙂
93 -58
96 -61
95V4 -69
96V4 -69
9000CD2.3 -90
But no newer Saab, I’m sorry to say.
Hans,
With a list like that, you have nothing to be sorry about. Five Saabs in your garage, I bet they all need parts from time to time, you still support the brand and show a definate love for Saab
I ordered already a 9-5 BP Aero SC (fully loaded without adaptive cruise control 😉 and I really, really hope it will be delivered, it a heck of a car and I can’t imagine ordering anything else.
SAAB up!
Good afternoon Aniraz, and welcome to this site.
Rather than raise money, I believe it is better we keep buying Saabs and encourage other people to do the same thing.
+1Rune. My thought exactly.
*Welcome Pierre, from another Pierre
lite för pessimistisk klart det ordnar sig kolla på ttelia
Keep voting everyone, we can do this!
I talked to my Sales Associate at True Saab this week. They are all hanging on for the 9-4x. He said each of them have waiting lists of SAAB clients that are interested in the vehicle, (myself included). It should be delivered in June is the last official word he received. i say, June cannot come fast enough. Maybe it is time for me to step up to the plate and order now.
Well, if you already have made up your mind, then why not? I mean, it will give management one more thing to tell the bank to pove the business is sound. But, regardless of this, if you do order, you will be amongst the first.
I know, cause I did just that with the TTiD XWD.
I agree, the 9-4X cannot arrive soon enough in the US. I firmly believe that the 9-4X will be a sales miracle for Saab . Even as gas prices rise… people here still love the SUV/XUV and the versatility of that style of automobile.
My only caution is that it will have to lease aggressively which could be a challenge because it will likely have a low residual in no small part due to the past 2 weeks events and the “uncertainty” about Saab.
I agree…. they must make this work… and give some dang good advertising to promote the 9-4X. I’ll gladly drive one around for SAAB like Till72 did, with decals all over it promoting it’s arrival.
Wife and I are looking at the 9-3X…. The 9-4x is great looking, just bigger than what we need.
Reinertsen Motors in Denville, NJ has the 9-4x on their showroom floor today. It’s the same one that will be at the NY Auto Show. They have a nice event today to show it. Dropping my 9-3 off for a spring detail then going to see it. Hopefully some VA money can be used to prop up residuals or lower lease payments below competitors cars just to get new Saabs out the door and on the roads.
@ paddan… then we must be “neighbors” since I’m just north of Philly. Reinertsen seems to have a nice inventory… how are they as a dealership?
http://www.thelocal.se/33106/20110409/
Once again http://www.ttela.se gives a better picture of what’s going on than this article. This article also is just repesting the words of the usually very “objective” wording from DI. A site with the same quality of news as the glossy tabloids
Enjoy your car! And please feel free to send in some photos if you want to share! 🙂
Here is a link to photos of my new 9-3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72157625610995668/
Dear Alex,
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your lovely SAAB photos. It is obvious from reading your comments and viewing your photos that you exude the true spirit of SAAB! Best Wishes to you and your family!
Thanks Chicago Swede, I do have a great love for all things SAAB, old and new.
My wife and I think that the 9-3 is an excellent car and certainly has that ‘SAAB’ feel to it. There is still something quite special about driving a new SAAB today, and standing out from the ‘mainstream’ crowd.
Thanks for your best wishes, lets hope we get good news next week.
Welcome to the “combi” family… you’ll love it! We have had ours for just over 2 years now and are considering adding a second one to the family.
best of luck!
Me too! 93 SC 1.9TiD 120 VS (06) – It’s a great all-rounder and attracts unsolicited complementary compliments from strangers!
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.1178415-lite-ljus-i-den-akuta-saabkrisen
A couple of positive articles. Wunderful! 🙂
“60 miljoner kronor”
????????????
http://www.gp.se/ekonomi/1.588827-muller-tar-dryg-ranta-av-saab
🙂 Good points TT
@ 74 StingSaab – I’ve been buying Saabs from Reinertsen Motors for over 30 years and wont go anywhere else. This is a great place with great people from the top on thru the personnel. Very fair, honest and enthusiastic dealer.
Good to hear that! I may just have to pay them a visit sometime to snoop around. My local dealer has been nothing but great with me but I always enjoy the new sights of a unknown (to me) showroom.